Worcester, MA --- Tim Brutto delivered a bases loaded walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning to propel East Side Post 201 to a critical 3-2 victory over visiting Wachusett (Holden Post 42) in an important American Legion Zone 4 First 13 contest on Saturday evening at Tivnan Field at Lake Park. The win improves Post 201 to 10-2 (12-4 overall) and keeps the Raiders in control of their own destiny for a spot in next Saturday’s national-bound District championship game.

East Side trailed 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning but leveled the contest when Peter Bovenzi belted his first career legion homer to left field. After relief pitcher Cam Fredrick retired the Wombats in order in the top of the seventh, the Raiders turned to their four 19-year olds to push across the winning run in the bottom of the frame. Jimmy Smith got things started with a walk before Joe Consolmagno’s perfectly placed sacrifice bunt attempt turned into a single. Following a Wachusett pitching change, Regan Aghdamdrew a four-pitch walk setting the stage for Brutto, who deposited a long single over the head of the drawn-in left fielder to send the hosts home happy.

Aghdam and Post 42’s Owen Gibbons were locked in a scoreless pitcher’s duel until East Side dented the scoring column in the bottom of the fourth when Nate Frederick smacked a single to right center to plate Brandon O’Connor who had led off the inning with a walk and a stolen base.

Wachusett (7-4, 8-5) used small ball to answer back with two runs in the top of the fifth. Joe Zottoli began the uprising with a single to first base. Eric Seaver’s sacrifice bunt attempt was misplayed, putting runners on first and second. Sam Stratton then sacrificed the runners to second and third before Tim Post dropped a single to left to chase home Zottola and Connor Gill notched a sacrifice fly to center to score Seaver.

The Wombats nearly added an insurance run in the sixth when Nick Elicone led off with a double and moved to third with one out but Cam Fredrick induced a strikeout and a groundout to extinguish the threat.

Smith finished the game 2-fir-3 with a run scored and Aghdam walked twice while Post 42's Cody Hall and Cam Ruziak each drew a pair of free passes.

Aghdam allowed two runs - one earned - on two hits with three strikeouts over the first five frames. Cam Frederick picked up the win following a one-hit and three strikeout performance in the final two innings.

Gibbons was responsible for all three runs on five hits with a pair of Ks in six-plus for Wachusett. Dan Whigham faced two batters in a quick relief appearance.

East Side closes out its First 13 slate tomorrow with a 2pm game against Main South at Worcester State University. Wachusett entertains Northbridge in a First 13 matchup at the 'Mountaintop' on Monday at 5:30.